WSU VERSUS ILLINOIS STATE PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME TALK

[forevershockerfan]

Here's the deal. Opportunity is knocking but can the Shox win against a very good team on the road? A win here would really give us a chance to win out in the Valley. We have to take them one at a time and this is a winnable game but only if we "BRING IT!!!!!!!" The Redbirds will not show us an ounce of mercy after beating them here. Thus, if we come in softly, they are more then capable of thumping us hard. We need to come in with a sense of urgency, staying focused in our execution efforts, and play hard for 40.

WSU------59

Redbirds 57

[kcshocker11]

Im going out on a limb 66 to 65 Shox!

[fuball7]

if there was a time to get a road win against a top 3 valley team it would be now.. isnt ill. st down a couple players? if our bench comes to play we might be able to get it done

[WstateU]

if there was a time to get a road win against a top 3 valley team it would be now.. isnt ill. st down a couple players? if our bench comes to play we might be able to get it done

You obviously didn't watch them pound Drake into oblivion earlier today?
Yes we have a chance, but....

[newshock1234]

Out of our remaining games in the season, this is our toughest test. I think we will hang with them, but we will fall just short.

:wsu_posters: 63
Red Birds 65

[Ashockalypse]

Shocks 60

Cardinals 55

[fuball7]

if there was a time to get a road win against a top 3 valley team it would be now.. isnt ill. st down a couple players? if our bench comes to play we might be able to get it done

You obviously didn't watch them pound Drake into oblivion earlier today?
Yes we have a chance, but....

drake also hasnt been lighting the world on fire lately.

[tropicalshox]

Shockers start their real push. 63-59 Shocks.

[WuDrWu]

Drake is really, really bad right now. It's pretty tough to take much from that game.

As it ALWAYS has been for champions, it starts with defense.

The league's best team just left the 316 wondering what happened. In the first 20 minutes by my count they got 1 uncontested shot. The second half produced more than that but still the defense was there.

IF, and as always that's a big IF, we come out and play 40 minutes of intense defense then we give ourselves a chance.

Wednesday is an opportunity to take a step forward....a big step forward. Win and there is no doubt that anything is possible in St. Louis. Lose and the doubts creep in and both the last 2 games become must wins....given this team's youth and history, I don't like the possibilities when they think 2 games ahead.

Right now any finish is possible....I can see 4-0 to 0-4. Postseason to another play in round loss. I hope what we have learned at home we can take on the road.....so far though, not so much.

[SubGod22]

Hopefully the Shox try and take advantage of ISU and their lack of depth and speed the game up as much as possible. If we can do that and play good D in the process then we can come out of Normal with a win.

Shox - 73
Birds - 65

I'm counting on ISU wearing down towards the end and the Shox making some FTs.

[Phantom]

Hey Shox fans,

Just dropping by for the usual ISU/WSU pregame talk. This should be another good one in our series. You guys have been playing extremely well lately, and your tough young team certainly seems to be clicking. As for us, things have been a bit tumultuous lately, with Odzic getting hurt and then the debacle with Phillips. We have however gotten 2 big road wins and have played much, much better team basketball lately. MAYBE we're starting to gel finally.

Phillips will suit up, but Shipley is going to start again. We have used our entire bench the last 2 games, but that was in Phillips' abscence, so not sure how the rotations are going to work Wed. It's funny how even though we don't have much depth we have looked & played like a deep team the past 2 games with everyone contributing. I think it's going to take that same effort against you guys on Wed.

Should be another tough game between our 2 teams.

[SubGod22]

Phantom, do you think you could take the 'Birds on a 20 mile run before the game so my prediction of them wearing down is certain to come true?

If the Shox can't take the 'Birds legs out of the game then I'm not sure we can win. If you do this for me I'll find a way to pay you back in STL :D

[WuDrWu]

Hey Shox fans,

Just dropping by for the usual ISU/WSU pregame talk. This should be another good one in our series. You guys have been playing extremely well lately, and your tough young team certainly seems to be clicking. As for us, things have been a bit tumultuous lately, with Odzic getting hurt and then the debacle with Phillips. We have however gotten 2 big road wins and have played much, much better team basketball lately. MAYBE we're starting to gel finally.

Phillips will suit up, but Shipley is going to start again. We have used our entire bench the last 2 games, but that was in Phillips' abscence, so not sure how the rotations are going to work Wed. It's funny how even though we don't have much depth we have looked & played like a deep team the past 2 games with everyone contributing. I think it's going to take that same effort against you guys on Wed.

Should be another tough game between our 2 teams.

Always a pleasure to have the Redbird fans here. You guys looked good last night even with the Geese in the tank. No question in my mind ISU has the best starting 5 in the conference. I will echo Gregg's comments from last week....I just want us to play well for 40 minutes. If you guys play better and deserve to win, so be it. I just want to play well and be able to say at the end, they gave it their all and they had a chance to win.

Best of luck either way.

[hamshock]

Shocks 71

Birds 55

[pinstripers]

Most talented team in the league-72
My favorite team in the league-58